Vital Strategies’ Post

I was honored to recently participate in an event on behalf of the Vital Stragies led RESET Alcohol Initiative. This initiative tackles the global issue of alcohol use, responsible for 2.6 million deaths each year. RESET Alcohol works with governments and public health experts to enforce WHO policies: raising taxes, regulating availability, and restricting alcohol marketing in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In the Philippines, 47% of adults drink alcohol. A recent RESET poll shows 2 in 3 Filipinos see alcohol as a problem in the country, and 3 in 4 have experienced or know someone affected by alcohol-related harms. Public concern is high. The Philippines has led in implementing policies to combat harmful substances and promote essential health measures, such as universal health coverage. Supporting the dialogues of public health leaders is essential to continued action. #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #AlcoholPolicy #RESETAlcohol #NCDs

ALCOHOL TAX FOR PUBLIC HEALTH! As digital advocates for alcohol harm reduction, we are deeply concerned about the prevalence of alcohol consumption in Kenya, as highlighted by the recent report from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA). With 3.2 million Kenyans reported to be regular drinkers, alcohol-related deaths have become all too common, underscoring the urgent need for action. To address this pressing issue, we strongly advocate for enhanced excise taxes on alcoholic drinks. According to the World Health Organization, increasing excise taxes is the most effective strategy for reducing alcohol consumption and preventing youth initiation. Currently, excise rates on Beer, Wines, and Spirits (KES142.44, KES 243.43, and KES 356.42 per litre respectively) in Kenya fall short of deterring excessive consumption. By raising #excise taxes ( to KES 199.42 for Beer, KES 340.80 for Wines, and KES 498.99 for Spirits), we can curb alcohol consumption and mitigate its harmful effects on society. This measure is crucial for protecting public health and saving lives. As #digital advocates, we call upon policymakers to prioritize alcohol harm reduction and implement higher excise taxes on alcoholic drinks. Together, we can create a safer and healthier environment for all. #AlcoholTaxKE #AlcoholAwareness

The World Health Organization has today called on countries to increase taxes on harmful products, including alcohol. “Taxing unhealthy products creates healthier populations. It has a positive ripple effect across society - less disease and debilitation and revenue for governments to provide public services. In the case of alcohol, taxes also help prevent violence and road traffic injuries,” said Dr Rűdiger Krech, Director, Health Promotion, World Health Organization. Alcohol Change Australia supports this call to action - we want to see the Australian Government address cheap alcohol that fuels harm through alcohol tax reform. https://lnkd.in/dG98gXqy

Full disclosure: I do not drink, have not since May 24, 2011. I am a peer recovery support specialist and I help those WHO WANT TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE SUBSTANCE ISSUES. I certainly will not harass anyone who is having a drink with a meal or at a party. Drinking does not mean you are an alcoholic. If you can drink responsibly, more power to you. Do not drink and drive. Just do not take the chance. Are you alcohol dependent? Ask someone like me or an LCDC. Are you a binge drinker? (I was.) Again, ask someone who understands what that means. Two drinks a week? How on earth do they plan to regulate that? Beer was never my drink. Two beers with a good meal was it. Alcohol drinkers are not criminals just because they drink. This is an example of a nanny government.

Is it time the UK raised the upper limit for ‘alcohol-free’ drinks to 0.5% ABV? Currently only beverages with an alcohol level lower than 0.05% ABV can be labelled alcohol-free in the UK. This level is lower than countries like Germany and the USA, where the maximum limit is 0.5%. The UK government believes raising the threshold will stimulate innovation in UK alcohol-free beverages and encourage more consumers to moderate their alcohol intake. However, a new report by Kantar notes that while raising the threshold would give consumers more choice, it could result in ‘NoLo’ products increasing their strength - so fewer 0.05% ABV products are available. A similar motion was defeated five years ago and opinions remain divided on the issue. Proponents say 0.5% ABV is similar to the small amounts of alcohol that naturally occur in some foods, while critics say it’s like “giving a vegetarian a salad with some thinly cut ham.” There are also concerns about the impact of raising the threshold on drivers, pregnant women, people whose religion forbid them from drinking alcohol and those recovering from alcohol addiction. The consultation into a potential law change concludes this Thursday. News sources: FoodNavigator, Beverage Daily #LowAlcohol #AlcoholFree #UKlaw #DrinksIndustry #NoLo

To tackle #alcoholmisuse, Scotland plans to increase the minimum price for alcohol by 30% 📈 This decision is part of the ongoing efforts to address public health concerns related to alcohol consumption🍷 Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Sxtdmb #alcoholpolicy #UKnews

"The Scottish Government is expected to publish plans to increase the minimum unit price of alcohol to 65p, the Record can reveal." The consultation is expected to be published this afternoon. "We estimate that a 10p increase in the MUP would reduce the number of harmful drinkers by 26,644, while removing MUP entirely would *increase* it by 26,841," says a new report on the rise. (https://lnkd.in/dD_PVfAu) The report also forecast the impact of the recent straightening out of anomalies in UK wine tax. It says this change will save around 200 lives in Scotland over a decade. This is about a tenth of the number a 10p rise in Scotland's MUP would save. (https://lnkd.in/d6UzUzj8) "To have a simple and evidence-based policy that directly reduces inequality is a gift; a gift that continues to be disregarded. The UK government must follow Scotland's lead to avoid England becoming the sick nation of the UK," said the IAS. From the industry side: "An increase of the minimum unit price of alcohol in Scotland from 50p to 65p would push up the minimum price of Scotch whisky from £14 to £18.20 – a significant increase of 30 per cent that would impact consumers across Scotland, the vast majority of whom drink responsibly,” said the Scotch Whisky Association. https://lnkd.in/dyT24fa6 https://lnkd.in/d8NYmuhj

Cost of alcohol harm is estimated at $9.1 billion in 2023. Excellent report on RNZ this morning about the newly released Alcohol Levy review and updated research. How are we going to reduce alcohol harm if the key funding source for harm prevention is not even keeping pace with inflation? https://lnkd.in/ghUhx_6Y

**MINIMUM PRICING UPDATE** The Scottish Government have today published their "final report" on alcohol minimum unit pricing. This is their conclusion: "Scottish Ministers have considered all the information presented in this report and conclude that there is sufficient evidence that Minimum Unit Pricing has achieved its policy aim." https://lnkd.in/ekQRiq-8

It's been an interesting week for us wellbeing peeps what with a Conservative Government passing a smoking ban. I've mixed feelings about it, as I am not a fan of prohibition as it normally leads to the creation of an illegal market that potentially does wider societal harm (please see UK drug policy), but I did enjoy the classic 'libertarian' defence being rightly crushed - people should have the right to kill themselves, except if it is in an area where I don't think they should have the right to kill themselves (please see UK drug policy). But you really know that The Nanny State TM has gone too far when they go after the middle classes favourite drug - red wine - via tax policy. Please be warned, your Amarone is at risk if this charging based on alcohol volume continues! Now that is an existential crisis for me and one we must push back on. In this specific situation, where our Old World wines and fortified wines are at risk, perhaps we should allow 'Freedom!' to prevail ;-) #employeewellbeing #redwine #regulation https://lnkd.in/eHTNubtB